Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share just a few of the many things Nonprofit VOTE is grateful for this year.

We're thankful for…

• Our amazing network of state and national partners and their commitment to expanding nonprofit voter engagement among their affiliates.
• Election Day Registration because it ensures that everyone who wants to vote can, without having to worry about missing the registration deadline. 
• Early voting opportunities--both by mail and in-person--that make voting more convenient and accessible for everyone.
• The upcoming 2012 election, because after two years of nonstop talk and speculation, it's finally less than a year away. (Sign up for our December 1st webinar on making a 2012 voter engagement plan.)
• The elections officials, Secretaries of State, local elections boards, and registrars who make elections happen!

This is a short list and doesn't even begin to cover the thousands of local nonprofits registering and engaging voters everyday. So while we don't have space to write out every thing, person, election reform, and organization we're thankful for, we still want to say "Thank you!"

Happy Thanksgiving from Nonprofit VOTE!

(Image Source)

NCAI Launches Native Vote 2012

November is well known for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and daylight savings, but it's also American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

In that vein, we wanted to applaud the commitment and effort of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to promote voter engagement in Native communities. Earlier this month, NCAI officially launched the Native Vote 2012 campaign during their 68th annual convention. Native Vote has been around for a while, but it has become more prominent in recent years and has helped highlight the role of Native voters in both the national and local political process.

Although the 2012 presidential election is still a year away, the timing of this launch makes it clear that civic leaders in the American Indian community recognize the need and importance of increasing voter participation rates. We hope that this move will inspire other groups across the country to begin thinking about how they plan to register, educate, and engage voters in 2012.

Make sure your nonprofit is one of them, and help ensure your clients are represented and empowered. For ideas, join our December 1st webinar Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012. And for more information on the American Indian population, check out this collection of facts from the Census Bureau.

Redistricting Continues in 19 States

As of last week, nineteen states are still without final districts. The redistricting process went smoothly and quickly in some states, but in others, maps are already in courts and others will be soon.

In Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer led a(n initially) successful charge to oust the chairwoman of the state’s independent commission. However, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned her decision, leaving some to speculate that the governor could still have her removed at a future date. Nevertheless, once finalized, many expect Arizona's maps to be challenged in court.

Based on the 2010 Census figures, Texas gained four additional representatives in the House. However, last week a federal court rejected the legislature's newly drawn lines, claiming they did not appropriately reflect Latino populations. This is nothing new, as Texas' maps have been challenged in court every decade for the past half century.

With presidential primaries beginning in early January, time is running out for states to finalize districts ahead of 2012.

(Image Source)

Upcoming Webinar: Making a Plan for 2012

Our final webinar of 2011 will start you thinking about next year's general election and how your nonprofit can maximize your impact with the resources you already have.

Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012
Thursday December 1st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

The 2012 presidential election will be here soon, and it's time to start thinking about your nonprofit's plan for registering, educating, and engaging voters. This webinar will cover when, where, and how to incorporate voter engagement activities into your work. We'll also help you develop and tailor a 2012 voter engagement timeline for your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to start building a voter engagement plan for 2012 now!

New Report on Turnout Gaps in 2010 Midterm

We're pleased to announce that our new voter turnout report, Voter Participation Gaps in the 2010 Midterm Election, is now available! It is the latest in our America Goes to the Polls series, and is based on the newly released biennial Census survey on voting and registration. The report tracks, analyzes, and explains income, age, education, and disability voting gaps. Prominent turnout gaps include:

• Age - 24% of youth (ages 18-29) turned out in 2010, a sharp drop from 51.1% in 2008.
• Household Income - There was a 20 point turnout gap between members of lower income and higher income households.
• Educational Attainment - Only 35% of those with a high school diploma or less turned out in 2010, compared to 61% of those with a college degree or more.
• Mobility - There was a 34 point turnout gap between individuals who had resided in their home for less than a year (28%) and those who had resided in their home for at least 5 years (62%).
• Disability - The survey included data on voters with disabilities and found that turnout among individuals with hearing difficulty actually exceeded turnout for those with no disability by 4 points.

Download the report to learn more about voting gaps. Then visit the Resources section of our website to see how your nonprofit can help close them.

Voter ID Passes in Mississippi

On Tuesday, Mississippi voters passed a constitutional amendment that requires voters to show government issued photo identification in order to vote. The initiative includes provisions for free photo IDs, but as with all photo ID laws, the impact on voters will depend on implementation. Although many of the states that passed voter ID laws this year offer free IDs, voters still face hurdles in acquiring proper ID.

Last month, a 91-year-old Tennessee woman couldn't get a photo ID because she was physically unable to stand in a long line. A South Carolina man does not have an official birth certificate (he was born at home in 1926) and was therefore denied a free state ID. It would cost $150 for him to get the underlying documents necessary to secure a "free" ID. In Wisconsin, Department of Transportation employees are not allowed to tell residents about the free photo ID for voting, unless the individual specifically asks.

However, not all states make voter ID overly burdensome. For example, in Michigan, voters who show up without photo ID can still vote a regular ballot if they sign an affidavit. State-by-state variations in voter ID laws make it impossible to determine how the amendment will affect voters in Mississippi, and if they will be able to get proper ID in time to vote.

Your nonprofit can ensure that no one misses the opportunity to vote because of ID requirements--help your clients and constituents learn more about voter ID in your state.

(Image Source)

Voting Rights Victory in Maine

We'll have a more complete summary of 2011 election results later, but we just couldn't wait to share Maine's victory! Yesterday, Maine voters decided to restore Election Day Registration (EDR)--leaving an almost 40 year tradition unbroken. Sixty percent of voters supported EDR, and have made it possible for future voters to register and cast their ballots on Election Day.

We're pleased to celebrate this voting rights victory and want to congratulate the organizations and volunteers that were able to put the issue before voters in just a few short months.

For more on other 2011 ballot measure results, visit Ballotpedia.

(Image Source)

Convenience Improves Turnout

At Nonprofit VOTE, we support and advocate for election systems and practices that make voting easier, more convenient, and allow a greater number of people to participate.

So we were glad to hear about a new paper by political scientists from Rice University and the University of Alabama called "Voting at Non-Precinct Polling Places: A Review and Research Agenda".

The researchers found that the convenience of Election Day voting centers--polling locations that combine multiple precincts and give voters options when deciding where to cast their ballot--can increase turnout.

Robert Stein, one of the paper's authors, said that "Over the last 3-5 years, research has revealed that implementation of voting centers has led to up to a 10 percent increase in not only voter turnout, but turnout of people who wouldn't normally vote."

Because of their size and accessibility, voting centers give voters the opportunity to vote somewhere that's more central to their daily routine, and thus increases the likelihood that they will vote. Stein suggests that voting centers work best in low-density urban areas and are most appealing to voters who are less likely to vote due to hectic schedules.

The findings of "Voting at Non-Precinct Polling Places" underscore the positive impact of voting centers, and are a helpful reminder that we can make voting more accessible to everyone through strategic election administration choices.

(Image Source)

November 2011 Election Resources

Many voters will be heading to the polls on Tuesday. Make sure you're prepared for Election Day and know where you're voting, what's on the ballot, and where to turn if you have questions. Remember that you may be able to cast your ballot early either in-person or by mail, depending on where you live. Remind your friends and family to vote, and remember Election Day should be fun!

• Find your polling location using our Voting in Your State online guide.
• Protect your right to vote. If you have problems voting on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or Ve y vota at 888-VE-Y-VOTA (839-8682).
• Locate other election information and voter engagement resources on our website.

Happy voting!

November 2011 Election Roundup

Yesterday was Election Day in Colorado, although voters in most states and municipalities will not be heading to the polls until next Tuesday, November 8. However, Colorado is not the first state to kick off election season a little early.

Gubernatorial and State Legislative Elections
Louisiana has already (re)elected Governor Bobby Jindal in a nonpartisan blanket primary on October 22, but voters will return to the polls on November 19 to elect new state legislators. Like Louisiana, Mississippi holds elections for both its governor and state legislature in odd numbered years. Kentucky voters will also elect their governor, while New Jersey and Virginia are holding state legislative elections.

Ballot Measures
Nine states have statewide ballot measures this year. Texas tops the group with a total of 10 measures. Louisiana voters already decided the outcome of five ballot measures during their October election, but will have to vote on a final constitutional amendment later this month. Yesterday, Colorado voters rejected a proposed increase to the state income and sales tax.

In Mississippi there are three controversial ballot measures dealing with abortion, voter ID, and eminent domain. And as we've mentioned before, there is a veto referendum in Maine that could restore Election Day Registration, as well as one in Ohio that could repeal SB 5--legislation signed in March that would limit collective bargaining for the state's public employees. Learn more about the 2011 ballot measures on Ballotpedia.

Mayoral Races
Many cities will be holding mayoral elections next week. Don't know if yours is one of them? Find out by visiting the U.S. Conference of Mayors' election center.

October Webinar Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined last Thursday's webinar, States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Protect the Right to Vote. And a special thanks to Megan Donovan and Ellis Jacobs for sharing their expertise with us.

The presentation and associated materials are now available: Watch the presentation online (with audio) or download the PowerPoint and audio file. If you have additional questions about voter suppression and voting rights, please feel free to contact our presenters:

Megan Donovan
Staff Attorney, Fair Elections Legal Network
mdonovan@fairelectionsnetwork.com

Ellis Jacobs
Senior Attorney, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
ejacobs@ablelaw.org

FELN creates regular Voter Suppression Updates, which are posted on their blog along with other news and updates. We also mentioned these two reports from the Brennan Center for Justice:

• Citizens without Proof: A Survey of Americans' Possession of Documentary Proof of Citizenship and Photo Identification
• The Cost of Voter ID Laws: What the Courts Say, which contains a section on what states need to do to educate voters

Voter Beware!

Halloween's approach means that the polls will soon be open—and in some states already are.

While young trick-or-treaters are dreaming about candy, scary stories, and haunted houses, their parents are contemplating more practical matters. Do you know our home phone number? Who will you be out with? What’s your trick-or-treating route? Safe Halloween practices are a lot like good election practices.

You don't take—or at least don't eat—unwrapped candy from strangers, and you don't wander off on your own. In the same vein, voters must be wary of efforts to spread misinformation, such as suspicious phone calls and fake websites.

Recent events have elections administrators reminding voters to get information from official sources, like Nonprofit VOTE's resources on registering and voting in your state that link directly to official state election sites. Get information straight from the source and protect yourself this election season. And remember, if you have any questions or doubts, just give your local elections office a call.

As with all holiday preparations, these practices shouldn't put a damper on the celebratory mood. There's no reason to expect anything but a frightfully good time, but just the same, you should be prepared. Happy voting!

(Image Source)

Register Now for Thursday's Webinar

There's still time to register for this week's webinar on recent election law changes!

States Move to Restrict Voting - How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote
Thursday October 27th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

2011 has seen an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. New laws require voters to provide photo ID at the polls, mandate proof of citizenship before registering to vote, and place severe restrictions on third party voter registration drives. These new regulations have the potential to disenfranchise millions of Americans, and will disproportionately affect lower-income, minority, youth, and older voters. Join us for a discussion of these troubling trends and efforts to counter them.

Featured Presenter: Megan Donovan is a staff attorney with the Fair Elections Legal Network. She has also worked as a legislative advocate for the Center for Reproductive Rights and a contract attorney for The Campaign Legal Center.

2012 Nonprofit Campaign Underway in Arizona

More than 150 nonprofit leaders gathered in Phoenix earlier this month to kick off a year-long campaign to increase voter participation in the 2012 elections and “Reclaim Our Community's Power.” The event was designed to inspire and equip nonprofits and other community-based organizations to conduct nonpartisan voter engagement in 2012.

Nonprofit VOTE's Lindsey Hodel was a keynote speaker, and one participant blogged that "she inspired the audience with her innovative and pioneer experiences." Lindsey called on participants to "voterize" their organizations--both for the benefit of their clients and for their missions.

Although nonprofits cannot support or oppose candidates, they can most certainly help people register and vote. By doing so, nonprofits can ensure that elected officials are representative of our communities and that public policy reflects the community's needs. The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits noted that "For too many years, most nonprofits have not seized the opportunity presented by elections to shape the communities they serve." That is no longer true in Arizona. The Arizona nonprofit community has committed to registering, informing, and activating voters, demonstrating how easy it is to create a "powerful political force."

Momentum is already gathering in Arizona, but what about in your state? It's never to early to start thinking about 2012. Sign up for our newsletter and stay connected as we cover ways your nonprofit can get involved!

(Image Source)

New Hurdles: States Restrict Voting Rights

Earlier this month, the Brennan Center published a new report on "Voting Law Changes in 2012" that details and analyzes the bills that have been proposed and passed since the beginning of this year. Most have made it much more difficult for citizens to both register and vote.

Restrictions have come in many forms, including:

• Photo ID requirements. Some states require voters to show government-issued photo ID that as many as one in ten voters do not have.
• Cuts to early voting, a hugely popular innovation used by millions of Americans. 
• Proof of citizenship laws that require a voter to provide proof of citizenship in order to register.
• Reversals of felon disenfranchisement reforms. Once again millions of individuals with past criminal convictions will be barred from participating in the political process. In fact, the report states that "Disenfranchisement after criminal conviction remains the single most significant barrier to voting rights in the United States."

The Brennan Center estimates that more than five million Americans could be affected by the new rules already put in place this year. The report also found that the restrictions will most heavily burden "young, minority, and low-income voters, as well as…voters with disabilities"—the populations that many of our nonprofits serve and "who have been historically locked out of our electoral system."

While many laws have been passed, some have faced fierce resistance from voters. In Ohio and Maine, citizen campaigns have forced referendums on new election laws in both states.

For more on this year's restrictive voting laws, tune in for our October 27th webinar, States Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote. In the meantime, encourage your clients to register to vote and ensure that they understand your state's laws.

(Image Source)

October Webinar: Defending the Right to Vote

Our October webinar will address new election laws that make it difficult for countless voters to register and cast their ballot. Many nonprofits are now wondering how to best help their clients participate under the new rules, but are also seeking information on how they can fight back against restrictive voting laws.

States Move to Restrict Voting - How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote
Thursday October 27th, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern

2011 has seen an unprecedented nationwide effort to pass legislation that creates voter registration barriers and limits access to the polls. New laws require voters to provide photo ID at the polls, mandate proof of citizenship before registering to vote, and place severe restrictions on third party voter registration drives. (In some states, these laws have not yet been implemented and are under review by the Justice Department to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act.) These new regulations have the potential to disenfranchise millions of Americans, and will disproportionately affect lower-income, minority, youth, and older voters. Join us for a discussion of these troubling trends and efforts to counter them.

Featured Presenter: Megan Donovan is a staff attorney with the Fair Elections Legal Network. She has also worked as a legislative advocate for the Center for Reproductive Rights and a contract attorney for The Campaign Legal Center.

New Hampshire Primary Project Returns

The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits, is once again sponsoring the 2012 Primary Project, a presidential candidate education initiative. The Project empowers members of the nonprofit and civic sector to engage candidates campaigning in New Hampshire, while also raising candidate and public awareness of the impact and importance of the nonprofit sector. See what they did in 2008.

At its official September kickoff, the Center brought in two seasoned party activists--one who served as a traveling adviser for McCain's 2008 campaign and the other who worked for Obama's New Hampshire team. Although they disagreed on politics, both guests expressed a desire to see greater nonprofit and community involvement in the political process.

This month the Center will be holding two trainings for nonprofits and community members interested in participating. They'll address what nonprofits can do, how to stay nonpartisan, and tactical advice for shining a spotlight on the nonprofit sector.

The Project will continue through the primary season and transition into more general voter engagement in the lead up to November's general election. This nonpartisan initiative does an incredible job of utilizing New Hampshire's political relevance to champion nonprofit voter engagement, and can hopefully inspire similar projects in other states.

New Census Data on 2010 Election

The Census Bureau has released data on "Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2010" that compares voting and registration patterns by demographic, social, and geographic characteristics. This release is the latest in a series of national reports that is one of the most frequently cited sources for registration and turnout data.

Last year, Hispanics comprised 7% of voters, the highest percentage ever for a non-presidential election. The percentage of non-Hispanic white voters was 77.5%, down from 80.4% in 2006. Tiffany Julian of the Census Bureau's Education and Social Stratification Branch noted that "The electorate looks much different than when we first started collecting these data 37 years ago," yet turnout and registration rates still do not mirror the nation's growing diversity.

There are persistent voting gaps for many of the populations that nonprofits serve. In addition to racial and ethnic gaps, economic gaps remain stark: People in families who earned $100,000 or more were more than twice as likely to vote as those who lived with families earning less than $20,000. Homeowners were more likely to both register and vote than renters.

Based on this data, Nonprofit VOTE will be issuing a report next month that details registration and turnout gaps, along with other relevant information for the nonprofit community. In the meantime, check out the full data files from the Census Bureau.

(Image Source)

Ohio Election Law Suspended

A controversial Ohio election law (HB 194) set to take effect on Friday has been suspended, pending the outcome of a November 2012 referendum.

If implemented, the law would prohibit counties from mailing out unsolicited absentee ballot applications, end the "golden week" when people can register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, and reduce the number of early voting days.

Opponents of HB 194 gathered 318,460 petition signatures in support of a referendum to overturn the law. 231,147 of the signatures must be verified in order for the law to remain suspended and for the issue to be placed before voters in 2012. Secretary of State Jon Husted said the verification process will not be completed before this fall's election.

In other good news, as the law has been suspended, early voting for the November 8 election begins today. Happy Election Day Buckeyes!

(Image Source)

Last Week's Webinar

Thanks to everyone who joined last week's webinar, the ABCs of Nonpartisan Voter Registration for Nonprofits!

The presentation and associated materials are now available: Watch the presentation online (with audio) or download the PowerPoint and audio file. If you have additional questions about voter registration, please feel free to contact our presenters:

Bridgette Rongitsch
Program Lead, Grassroots Solutions
Email: Bridgette@grassrootssolutions.com

Julian Johannesen
Director of Research and Technology, Nonprofit VOTE
Phone: (617) 357-8683
Email: julian@nonprofitvote.org

Several resources were mentioned during the webinar, including:

•  Nonprofit Voter Engagement Research
• Voter Registration and Voting in Your State
• "Register to Vote" Poster
• Voter Registration Toolkit for Nonprofits and Social Service Agencies 

We also suggested a couple nonpartisan sites where you can learn more about political parties and candidates:

• Project Vote Smart
• OpenSecrets.org